Manchester United could make their first formal offer for the Sporting midfielder Bruno Fernandes this week, according to the Portuguese press .
Newspapers A Bola and O Jogo both bring stories today claiming the Red Devils are ready to take the lead in the race by making the first official moves for the signing.
Starting with A Bola, it’s claimed Sporting are now trying to get all the money in one go, avoiding negotiations with the inclusion of other players or performance bonuses.
That’s a reason why Manchester United are becoming well positioned in the race. The Old Trafford side have been ‘studying’ the possibilities, first with €55m + €25m, then with €65m + €15m, and lately with €70m + €10m. A Bola says that’s why the English press was talking about a direct €80m offer yesterday.
With Manchester United never trying to include a player in the deal, A Bola says this is the reason they lead the race, and their first formal offer could be made ‘at any time’ this week.
Newspaper Record brings a story which goes pretty much in favour of Man United as well. They say the club are ‘committed to taking the lead’, and should make a concrete offer this week.
At first, Record believed that a move for Fernandes would depend on the departure of Paul Pogba, both for opening a spot in midfield, as for the money which allow the Premier League side to have a bigger margin of negotiation.
However, the farewell of Ander Herrera and the likely departure of Juan Mata have convinced the board to move for Fernandes right now, regardless of what will be of Pogba’s future.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas has returned from vacation this week, and is demanding an amount of €70m for the sale.
